UTI is a common ailment in women and girls of all ages. Although UTI is an infection of the Urinary Tract, the harmful bacteria that escape from the gut are responsible for the infection. Since, Urethra –the distance between anus and vagina- in a woman is relatively shorter, it is easier for the bacteria to travel from the anal opening to the opening of the urethra to infect the bladder. More than 90 percent of the female population in the United States has had an UTI at least once in their lifetime. Among 60 percent of the population, it is pretty much a chronic condition occurring at least twice a year. UTI is extremely disconcerting because it is very painful and, more importantly, untreated UTI can lead to complications that require amputation. Untreated UTI can also be fatal in some cases. There are several home remedies to cure UTI. Of course, in acute cases, it is better to consult a GP and cure the UTI with antibiotics before it progresses further but in the preliminary stage and as a preventive measure, the following 9 home remedies are tried, tested and the best natural remedies to cure UTI fast.

1. Flush out the bacteria with fluids

Consume plenty of fluids like unsweetened fruit juices, filtered drinking water, coconut water, and green tea. Caffeine and alcohol are however a bad choice because apart from irritating the stomach and intestinal lining, they also irritate the bladder and urethra causing excess pain and burning. Filling up your bladder frequently with water (simultaneously providing nutrition to the body) is one of the best natural remedies to cure UTI fast. It helps diffuse the concentration of bacteria causing the infection and forces it out along with the urine passed. As the bladder is full, the pressure exerted on the urethra will be higher to flush out more urine despite the swollen walls and cause less pain in the process.

2. Consume Cranberry juice

Cranberries do not fight the existing infection-but, consuming unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the widely known and accepted best natural remedies to cure UTI fast-in some cases, faster than medication. Although it is a continuous battle with bacteria, the compounds present in cranberries prevent these bacteria from proliferation and help keep the infection in check.

3. Empty your bladder frequently

Frequent urination is one of the important natural remedies to cure UTI fast. When fighting a UTI, the urge to pass urine is constant. The best natural remedies to cure UTI fast will be of no avail if you ignore the urge to pass urine, however scant. The reason behind this constant urge to urinate is that the walls of the urethra are swollen and are unable to completely empty the bladder when you pass urine. So, instead of letting the infected urine sit in the bladder and increasing the risk of infecting the ureters and kidneys, it is better to pass the urine although this may be painful and could cause a bit of burning.

4. Increase the intake of vitamin C

Consume more citrus fruits and salad vegetables to increase the vitamin C in your body. This helps make the urine acidic so it is difficult for the bacteria to survive. Vitamin C is water – soluble and does not cause hyper-vitaminosis or other complications caused by excess consumption. Exercise caution, however, when consuming vitamin C supplements because even though it is water – soluble, supplements are highly concentrated when compared to natural food items. Sufficient intake of vitamin C will help augment the process of curing UTI without using antibiotics. You can safely take up to 1000 mg of Vitamin C daily.

5. Keep your digestive system in order

All natural remedies you would normally apply to reduce or eliminate digestive disorders are but a precursor to the best natural remedies to cure UTI fast. Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria from the gut entering the urethra and hence the bladder. By reducing the incidence of digestive problems, the incidence of UTI can also be successfully reduced. Understand what food items irritate your gut and cause indigestion, loose motions, gas and nausea. Find replacements for those food items that do not cause these symptoms so the UTI is automatically prevented.

6. Drink ginger tea

Ginger is a very well known remedy for digestive disorders. It acts against gas and reduces acidity and heartburn. The less known fact about ginger is that it is also anti-inflammatory making it one of the best natural remedies to cure UTI fast. It reduces the pain and inflammation of the urethra and helps pass more urine. What more, when consumed as tea, it also increases the fluid intake and helps fill up your bladder fast thus effectively curing UTI without using antibiotics.

7. Wear lose fitting clothes and undergarments

It may not always be appropriate but try to wear loose-fitting clothes and cotton underwear whenever possible. Tight and scant undergarments like thongs and tight fitting underwear keep the area warm and moist which are ideal conditions for bacteria to breed in. Besides, the bacteria travel faster from the anus to the urethra when the region is warm and moist. If you are already suffering from a UTI, it is best to avoid tight clothes and underwear if you want to cure UTI without using antibiotics.

8. Use a heating pad

Sometimes, the inflammation in the urethra and bladder cause pain even when not passing urine. In that case, use a heating pad for relief from pain in place of an anti-inflammatory medicine. Do not, however, apply direct heat. Use a heating pad on your clothes and, if necessary, wrap it in a hand towel. Curing UTI without using antibiotics and other drugs is slow but less harmful and warm compresses can aid in the process.

9. Go for alternative therapies

Homeopathy is an alternative and holistic therapy which advocates treating diseases from the root. Consult a registered homeopath if you have a chronic case of UTI. Homeopathic medication does not have any side effects and slowly but surely cures the disease and prevents recurrence. It is not really a home remedy but for those of you intent on curing UTI without using antibiotics, it is one of the best treatment options available out there.

Untreated UTI can lead to disastrous consequences. Even the best natural remedies to cure UTI fast may not be able to fight a severe infection. In such a case, it is better to consult a GP or a urologist. One important thing to remember, although it is not a remedy, is to wipe down from the urethra towards the anus and not the other way around after having a bowel movement. This is especially important to do when cleaning up infant girls because UTI affects women and children of all age groups.